Five Wolves named to All-Big Country Team

The Abilene Reporter News announced the class 2A All-Big Country Football Team last week and the Wolves were well represented. 

J.C. Johnson was named the Big Country’s  Defensive Player of the Year.  J.C. is a 6-0, 175lb. junior linebacker for the Wolves.  He had a great season with 145 tackles – 76 of which were solos.

He also had 7 tackles for a loss, 7 quarterback pressures, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack, and broke up 3 passes.  In a game against Coahoma this past season, Johnson charted 14 solo tackles and 4 assisted stops in a 21-14 district win over the Bulldogs.  That performance earned Johnson a nomination from his coaching staff for Big Country Player of the Week. 

Johnson may not be the biggest, strongest, or fastest player on the field, but he has courage and simply has the guts to get to the football, no matter how rough things might get.. He (J.C) throws his body in there without regard for how things look.  It’s really fun to watch him because of the way he hits people,” Head Coach Frank Johnson said.

Frankie Atkinson, a 6-0, 245lb. senior for the Wolves, also made the All Big Country Team for his performance on the defensive line.  Atkinson had a great season for the Wolves charting 45 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 6 quarterback pressures, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.  Atkinson proved to be a good leader on the Wolf defensive line and he will leave some big shoes to fill next year.

Tyler Higgins, a 6-4, 225lb. senior for the Wolves, also made the team for his punting skills.  Higgins averaged 37 yards per punt for the Wolves.  He really turned out to be a weapon for the Wolves, pinning the opponents back close to 40 yards from the line of scrimmage each punt.  Higgins will be missed next year.

The Wolves also had two players who made Honorable Mention on the All Big Country Team.  Senior running back, Jamarcus Brooks and senior place kicker Eli Farrell. 

Brooks had a great year for the Wolves, rushing for over 1000 yards this past season.  He was a threat to score everytime he touched the ball.  
Farrell came in and did a good job for the Wolves as place kicker.  He did well on the PAT’s and he made a 46-yard game winning field goal to give the Wolves a big district win over Grape Creeek as the game clock expired. 

Congratulations to J.C. Johnson, Frankie Atkinson, Tyler Higgins, Jamarcus Brooks, and Eli Farrell for making the All Big Country Football Team and for representing the Wolves well.